Method and system for treatment of cardiovascular disorders

ABSTRACT

Methods for treating a cardiovascular disorder comprising administration of one or more extracellular matrix (ECM) based compositions directly to damaged or diseased cardiovascular tissue associated with the cardiovascular disorder, and provision of ventricular assistance.

CROSS-REFERENCES TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of U.S. application Ser. No.13/915,203, filed on Jun. 11, 2013, which is a divisional of U.S.application Ser. No. 13/782,115, filed on Mar. 1, 2013, which is acontinuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser. No. 13/573,569, filed onSep. 24, 2012, which is a continuation-in-part of U.S. application Ser.No. 11/334,631, filed on Jan. 18, 2006.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates to methods for treating cardiovasculardisorders. More particularly, the present invention relates to methodsfor treating cardiovascular disorders comprising concomitantadministration of an extracellular matrix (ECM) composition andventricular assistance.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

As is well known in the art, heart failure can be caused by a diversearray of cardiovascular disorders that reduce the efficiency of themyocardium, including ischemic heart disease, coronary artery disease,and a defective or diseased heart valve. Among the noted disorders,ischemic heart disease, which commonly presents as a myocardialinfarction, is the leading cause of heart failure.

Indeed, in 2004 alone, the World Health Organization estimated that12.2% of worldwide deaths occurred as a result of ischemic heartdisease. Ischemic heart disease was also deemed the leading cause ofdeath in middle to high income countries and second only to respiratoryinfections in lower income countries. The Global Burden of Disease:World Health Organization 2004 Update, Geneva (2008). Worldwide morethan 3 million people present with a ST elevation myocardial infarction(STEMI) and 4 million people present with a non-ST elevation myocardialinfarction (NSTEMI) a year. White, et al., Acute Myocardial Infarction,Lancet 372 (9638), pp. 570-84 (August 2008).

Rates of death from ischemic heart disease have slowed or declined inmost high income countries, although cardiovascular disease stillaccounted for 1 in 3 of all deaths in the USA in 2008. Roger, et al.,Executive summary: Heart Disease and Stroke Statistics—2012 update: Areport from the American Heart Association, Circulation 125 (1), pp.188-97 (January 2012).

In contrast, ischemic heart disease is becoming a more common cause ofdeath in the developing world. For example in India, ischemic heartdisease had become the leading cause of death by 2004; accounting for1.46 million deaths (14% of total deaths). Deaths in India due toischemic heart disease were also expected to double during 1985-2015.Gupta, et al., Epidemiology and Causation of Coronary Heart Disease andStroke in India, Heart 94 (1), pp. 16-26 (January 2008).

Globally, it is predicted that disability adjusted life years (DALYs)lost to ischemic heart disease will account for 5.5% of total DALYs in2030, making it the second most important cause of disability (afterunipolar depressive disorder), as well as the leading cause of death bythis date.

Ischemic heart disease often occurs when myocardial tissue is no longerreceiving adequate blood flow. Various methods for treating ischemicheart disease have thus been developed. Such methods include systemicdelivery of various pharmacological agents.

Several additional methods for treating ischemic heart disease aredirected to re-establishing blood flow to the ischemic area. Suchmethods include stimulation of angiogenesis and surgical intervention,e.g. bypass surgery or angioplasty. Other methods include the use oflasers to bore holes through the ischemic area(s) to promote blood flow.As one can readily appreciate, there are numerous incumbent risksassociated with the noted methods.

A further method for treating ischemic heart disease is the directdelivery of bioactive or pharmacological agents to the ischemic area.Illustrative is the delivery of extracellular matrix (ECM) basedcompositions directly to cardiovascular tissue disclosed in Co-pendingapplication Ser. No. 13/573,569.

More recently, ventricular assist devices (VADs) have been employed astreatment platforms for various pharmacological therapies, e.g. stemcell administration, which have been developed to treat cardiovasculardisorders, including ischemic heart disease. VADs are designed tosupport (or augment) the function of either the right (RVAD) or left(LVAD) ventricle, or both at once (BiVAD). The type of VAD employeddepends primarily on the underlying cardiovascular disorder, and thepulmonary arterial resistance that determines the load on the rightventricle.

Although the direct delivery of bioactive or pharmacological agents;particularly, the ECM based compositions disclosed in Co-pendingapplication Ser. No. 13/573,569, and other treatment therapies employingventricular assistance have been found effective to treat cardiovasculardisorders and, thereby, heart failure, there remains a need to provideeven more effective means for treating cardiovascular disorders.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide improvedmethods for treating cardiovascular disorders.

It is another object of the present invention to provide methods fortreating cardiovascular disorders that include concomitantadministration of an ECM based composition and ventricular assistance.

It is another object of the present invention to provide methods fortreating cardiovascular disorders that include concomitantadministration of (i) an ECM based composition, which, when delivered todamaged biological tissue; particularly, cardiovascular tissue, inducesneovascularization, host tissue proliferation, bioremodeling, andregeneration of cardiovascular tissue and associated structures withsite-specific structural and functional properties, and (ii) ventricularassistance to augment heart function.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is directed to methods and systems for treatingcardiovascular disorders. In a preferred embodiment of the invention,the methods comprise concomitant administration of one or more ECM basedcompositions to damaged or diseased cardiovascular tissue, and provisionof ventricular assistance.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, one or more ECM basedcompositions are administered directly to the cardiovascular tissue.

In some embodiments, the cardiovascular tissue comprises myocardiumtissue.

In a preferred embodiment, the ECM based compositions include at leastone ECM material derived from a mammalian tissue source.

In some embodiments, the mammalian tissue source is selected from thegroup comprising small intestine submucosa (SIS), urinary bladdersubmucosa (UBS), stomach submucosa (SS), central nervous system tissue,epithelium of mesodermal origin, i.e. mesothelial tissue, dermalextracellular matrix, subcutaneous extracellular matrix,gastrointestinal extracellular matrix, i.e. large and small intestines,tissue surrounding growing bone, placental extracellular matrix,ornomomentum extracellular matrix, cardiac extracellular matrix, e.g.,pericardium and/or myocardium, kidney extracellular matrix, pancreasextracellular matrix, lung extracellular matrix, and combinationsthereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the mammalian tissue source comprisesmesothelial tissue.

In some embodiments, the ECM compositions further include one or moreadditional biologically active components to facilitate treatment of thedamaged cardiovascular tissue and/or the tissue regenerative process.

In some embodiments, the biologically active component comprises apharmacological agent or composition.

In some embodiments of the invention, the biologically active componentcomprises an anti-inflammatory agent or composition.

In some embodiments of the invention, the biologically active componentcomprises a statin selected from the group comprising atorvastatin,cerivastatin, fluvastatin, lovastatin, mevastatin, pitavastatin,pravastatin, rosuvastatin, and simvastatin.

In some embodiments of the invention, the biologically active componentcomprises a growth factor selected from the group comprising a plateletderived growth factor (PDGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF),transforming growth factor alpha (TGF-alpha), transforming growth factorbeta (TGF-beta), fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), basic fibroblastgrowth factor (bFGF), vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF),hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), insulin-like growth factor (IGF), nervegrowth factor (NGF), platlet derived growth factor (PDGF), tumornecrosis factor alpha (TNA-alpha), and placental growth factor (PLGF).

In some embodiments of the invention, the biologically active componentcomprises an anti-arrhythmic agent selected from the group comprisingquinidine, procainamide, disopyramide, lidocaine, phenytoin, mexiletine,flecainide, propafenone, moricizine, propranolol, esmolol, timolol,metoprolol, atenolol, amiodarone, sotalol, ibutilide, dofetilide,verapamil, diltiazem, adenosine and digoxin.

In some embodiments of the invention, the biologically active componentcomprises a protein.

In some embodiments of the invention, the ECM based compositions areformulated to facilitate injection of the ECM based compositions todamaged or diseased tissue (i.e. injectable ECM compositions).

In some embodiments of the invention, ventricular assistance is providedby a mechanical circulatory support (MCS) device.

In some embodiments of the invention, ventricular assistance is providedby a left ventricular assist device (LVAD).

In some embodiments of the invention, ventricular assistance is providedby a right ventricular assist device (RVAD).

In some embodiments of the invention, ventricular assistance is providedby a left and right ventricular assist device (BiVAD).

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Further features and advantages will become apparent from the followingand more particular description of the preferred embodiments of theinvention, as illustrated in the accompanying drawings, and in whichlike referenced characters generally refer to the same parts or elementsthroughout the views, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a depiction of a normal heart;

FIG. 2 is a of a heart having an ischemic infracted region;

FIG. 3A is an exploded perspective view of one embodiment of amulti-needle injection apparatus that is suitable for directadministration of ECM compositions to biological tissue, e.g.cardiovascular tissue, in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 3B is an assembled perspective view of the multi-needle injectionapparatus shown in FIG. 3A, in accordance with the invention;

FIG. 4 is a front perspective view of a prior art ventricular assistdevice (VAD);

FIG. 5 is a simplified, fragmentary representation of a human heart,showing the VAD illustrated in FIG. 4 implanted within the leftventricle of the heart, in accordance with the invention; and

FIG. 6 is a graphical illustration of ejection fraction as a function oftime for porcine samples subjected to three cardiovascular treatments,i.e. ventricular assist (VAD) only, administration of an extracellularmatrix (ECM) composition, and VAD plus administration of an ECMcomposition, in accordance with the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

Before describing the present invention in detail, it is to beunderstood that this invention is not limited to particularlyexemplified apparatus, systems, compositions or methods as such may, ofcourse, vary. Thus, although a number of systems, compositions andmethods similar or equivalent to those described herein can be used inthe practice of the present invention, the preferred systems,compositions and methods are described herein.

It is also to be understood that, although a preferred method ofdelivering an ECM based composition of the invention to biologicaltissue comprises direct injection into the tissue. The delivery of anECM based composition is not limited to direct injection. According tothe invention, an ECM based composition of the invention can bedelivered to biological tissue by other conventional means, includingtopical administration.

It is further to be understood that the terminology used herein is forthe purpose of describing particular embodiments of the invention onlyand is not intended to be limiting.

Unless defined otherwise, all technical and scientific terms used hereinhave the same meaning as commonly understood by one having ordinaryskill in the art to which the invention pertains.

Further, all publications, patents and patent applications cited herein,whether supra or infra, are hereby incorporated by reference in theirentirety.

Finally, as used in this specification and the appended claims, thesingular forms “a, “an” and “the” include plural referents unless thecontent clearly dictates otherwise. Thus, for example, reference to “ananti-inflammatory” includes two or more such agents and the like.

Definitions

The terms “cardiovascular disorder” and “heart failure” are usedinterchangeably herein, and mean and include any abnormal function ofthe heart; particularly, abnormal functions or deficiency of themyocardium. The terms “cardiovascular disorder” and “heart failure” thusinclude, without limitation, ischemic heart disease, coronary arterydisease, a defective or diseased heart valve, myocarditis, aninflammatory disease, cardiomyopathy and amyloidosis.

The term “ventricular assistance”, as used herein, means and includesany means of providing circulatory assistance to a heart and/orsupporting the function of a heart. According to the invention,“ventricular assistance” can be provided by a variety of conventionalventricular assist devices, including, without limitation, a leftventricular assist device (LVAD), right ventricular assist device(RVAD), left and right ventricular assist device (BiVAD), and othermechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices.

The term “concomitant”, as used herein in connection with theadministration of an ECM based composition of the invention andventricular assistance, means that the ECM based composition andventricular assistance are administered (or provided) concurrently at adefined point in time. Thus, in some embodiments of the invention,ventricular assistance is initially provided followed by theadministration of an ECM based composition. In some embodiments, an ECMbased composition is initially administered and ventricular assistanceis provided thereafter.

The terms “cardiovascular tissue damage,” “cardiac tissue damage,” and“cardiac tissue injury” and are used interchangeably herein, and meanand include any area of abnormal tissue in the cardiovascular system orheart caused by a disease, disorder, injury or damage, including damageto the epicardium, endocardium and/or myocardium.

As is well known in the art, cardiovascular tissue damage most ofteninvolves damage or injury to the myocardium and, therefore, for thepurposes of this disclosure, myocardial damage or injury is equivalentto cardiovascular tissue damage.

The terms “prevent” and “preventing” are used interchangeably herein,and mean and include reducing the frequency or severity of a disease,condition or disorder. The term does not require an absolute preclusionof the disease, condition or disorder. Rather, this term includesdecreasing the chance for disease occurrence.

The terms “treat” and “treatment” are used interchangeably herein, andmean and include medical management of a patient with the intent tocure, ameliorate, stabilize, or prevent a disease, pathologicalcondition or disorder. The terms include “active treatment”, i.e.treatment directed specifically toward the improvement of a disease,pathological condition or disorder, and “causal treatment”, i.e.treatment directed toward removal of the cause of the associateddisease, pathological condition or disorder.

The terms “treat” and “treatment” further include “palliativetreatment”, i.e. treatment designed for the relief of symptoms ratherthan the curing of the disease, pathological condition or disorder,“preventative treatment”, i.e. treatment directed to minimizing orpartially or completely inhibiting the development of the associateddisease, pathological condition or disorder, and “supportive treatment”,i.e. treatment employed to supplement another specific therapy directedtoward the improvement of the associated disease, pathological conditionor disorder.

The terms “extracellular matrix”, “ECM” and “ECM material” are usedinterchangeably herein, and mean and include a collagen-rich substancethat is found in between cells in mammalian tissue, and any materialprocessed therefrom, e.g. decellularized ECM. According to theinvention, the ECM material can be derived from a variety of mammaliantissue sources, including, without limitation, small intestine submucosa(SIS), urinary bladder submucosa (UBS), stomach submucosa (SS), centralnervous system tissue, epithelium of mesodermal origin, i.e. mesothelialtissue, dermal extracellular matrix, subcutaneous extracellular matrix,gastrointestinal extracellular matrix, i.e. large and small intestines,tissue surrounding growing bone, placental extracellular matrix,ornomentum extracellular matrix, cardiac extracellular matrix, e.g.,pericardium and/or myocardium, kidney extracellular matrix, pancreasextracellular matrix, lung extracellular matrix, and combinationsthereof. The ECM material can also comprise collagen from mammaliansources.

The terms “urinary bladder submucosa (UBS)”, “small intestine submucosa(SIS)” and “stomach submucosa (SS)” also mean and include any UBS and/orSIS and/or SS material that includes the tunica mucosa (which includesthe transitional epithelial layer and the tunica propria), submucosallayer, one or more layers of muscularis, and adventitia (a looseconnective tissue layer) associated therewith.

The ECM material can also be derived from basement membrane of mammaliantissue/organs, including, without limitation, urinary basement membrane(UBM), liver basement membrane (LBM), and amnion, chorion, allograftpericardium, allograft acellular dermis, amniotic membrane, Wharton'sjelly, and combinations thereof.

Additional sources of mammalian basement membrane include, withoutlimitation, spleen, lymph nodes, salivary glands, prostate, pancreas andother secreting glands.

The ECM material can also be derived from other sources, including,without limitation, collagen from plant sources and synthesizedextracellular matrices, i.e. cell cultures.

According to the invention, ECM material can comprise, in whole or inpart, just the basement membrane (or transitional epithelial layer) withthe subadjacent tunica propria, the tunica submucosa, tunica muscularis,and tunica serosa. The extracellular matrix component of the ECMmaterial can thus contain any or all of these layers or only thebasement membrane portion, excluding the submucosa.

The term “chamber remodeling”, as used herein, means and includes aseries of events (which may include changes in gene expression,molecular, cellular and interstitial changes) that result in changes insize, shape and function of biological tissue following stress orinjury. As is well known in the art, remodeling can occur after amyocardial infarction, pressure overload (e.g., aortic stenosis,hypertension), volume overload (e.g., valvular regurgitation),inflammatory heart disease (e.g., myocarditis), or in idiopathic cases(e.g., idiopathic dilated cardiomyopathy).

The term “angiogenesis”, as used herein, means a physiologic processinvolving the growth of new blood vessels from pre-existing bloodvessels.

The term “neovascularization”, as used herein, means and includes theformation of functional vascular networks that can be perfused by bloodor blood components. Neovascularization includes angiogenesis, buddingangiogenesis, intussuceptive angiogenesis, sprouting angiogenesis,therapeutic angiogenesis and vasculogenesis.

The terms “pharmacological agent”, “pharmacological composition” and“biologically active agent”, as used herein, mean and include an agent,drug, compound, composition of matter or mixture thereof, including itsformulation, which provides some therapeutic, often beneficial, effect.This includes any physiologically or pharmacologically active substancethat produces a localized or systemic effect or effects in animals,including warm blooded mammals, humans and primates; avians; domestichousehold or farm animals, such as cats, dogs, sheep, goats, cattle,horses and pigs; laboratory animals, such as mice, rats and guinea pigs;fish; reptiles; zoo and wild animals; and the like.

The terms “pharmacological agent” and “biologically active agent” thusmean and include, without limitation, antibiotics, anti-arrhythmicagents, anti-viral agents, analgesics, steroidal anti-inflammatories,non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, anti-neoplastics, anti-spasmodics,modulators of cell-extracellular matrix interactions, proteins,hormones, growth factors, matrix metalloproteinases (MMPS), enzymes andenzyme inhibitors, anticoagulants and/or antithrombic agents, DNA, RNA,modified DNA and RNA, NSAIDs, inhibitors of DNA, RNA or proteinsynthesis, polypeptides, oligonucleotides, polynucleotides,nucleoproteins, compounds modulating cell migration, compoundsmodulating proliferation and growth of tissue, and vasodilating agents.

The terms “pharmacological agent” and “biologically active agent”accordingly include, without limitation, atropine, tropicamide,dexamethasone, dexamethasone phosphate, betamethasone, betamethasonephosphate, prednisolone, triamcinolone, triamcinolone acetonide,fluocinolone acetonide, anecortave acetate, budesonide, cyclosporine,FK-506, rapamycin, ruboxistaurin, midostaurin, flurbiprofen, suprofen,ketoprofen, diclofenac, ketorolac, nepafenac, lidocaine, neomycin,polymyxin b, bacitracin, gramicidin, gentamicin, oyxtetracycline,ciprofloxacin, ofloxacin, tobramycin, amikacin, vancomycin, cefazolin,ticarcillin, chloramphenicol, miconazole, itraconazole, trifluridine,vidarabine, ganciclovir, acyclovir, cidofovir, ara-amp, foscarnet,idoxuridine, adefovir dipivoxil, methotrexate, carboplatin,phenylephrine, epinephrine, dipivefrin, timolol, 6-hydroxydopamine,betaxolol, pilocarpine, carbachol, physostigmine, demecarium,dorzolamide, brinzolamide, latanoprost, sodium hyaluronate, insulin,verteporfin, pegaptanib, ranibizumab, and other antibodies,antineoplastics, Anti VGEFs, ciliary neurotrophic factor, brain-derivedneurotrophic factor, bFGF, Caspase-1 inhibitors, Caspase-3 inhibitors,α-Adrenoceptors agonists, NMDA antagonists, Glial cell line-derivedneurotrophic factors (GDNF), pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF),and NT-3, NT-4, NGF, IGF-2.

According to the invention, the terms “pharmacological agent” and“biologically active agent” further include, without limitation, thefollowing growth factors: platelet derived growth factor (PDGF),epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor alpha(TGF-alpha), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), fibroblastgrowth factor-2 (FGF-2), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), vascularepithelial growth factor (VEGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF),insulin-like growth factor (IGF), nerve growth factor (NGF), platletderived growth factor (PDGF), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNA-alpha),and placental growth factor (PLGF).

The terms “pharmacological agent” and “biologically active agent”further include, without limitation, the following Class I-Class Vantiarrhythmic agents: (Class Ia) quinidine, procainamide anddisopyramide; (Class Ib) lidocaine, phenytoin and mexiletine; (Class Ic)flecainide, propafenone and moricizine; (Class II) propranolol, esmolol,timolol, metoprolol and atenolol; (Class III) amiodarone, sotalol,ibutilide and dofetilide; (Class IV) verapamil and diltiazem) and (ClassV) adenosine and digoxin.

The terms “pharmacological agent” and “biologically active agent”further include, without limitation, the following antibiotics:aminoglycosides, cephalosporins, chloramphenicol, clindamycin,erythromycins, fluoroquinolones, macrolides, azolides, metronidazole,penicillins, tetracyclines, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole andvancomycin.

The terms “pharmacological agent” and “biologically active agent”further include, without limitation, the following steroids: andranes(e.g., testosterone), cholestanes, cholic acids, corticosteroids (e.g.,dexamethasone), estraenes (e.g., estradiol) and pregnanes (e.g.,progesterone).

The terms “pharmacological agent” and “biologically active agent”further include, without limitation, the following narcotic analgesics:morphine, codeine, heroin, hydromorphone, levorphanol, meperidine,methadone, oxycodone, propoxyphene, fentanyl, methadone, naloxone,buprenorphine, butorphanol, nalbuphine and pentazocine.

The terms “pharmacological agent” and “biologically active agent”further include, without limitation, the following anesthetics: esters,such as benzocaine, chloroprocaine, cocaine, cyclomethycaine,dimethocaine/larocaine, piperocaine, propoxycaine, procaine/novacaine,proparacaine, and tetracaine/amethocaine. Local anesthetics can alsoinclude, without limitation, amides, such as articaine, bupivacaine,cinchocaine/dibucaine, etidocaine, levobupivacaine,lidocaine/lignocaine, mepivacaine, prilocaine, ropivacaine, andtrimecaine. Local anesthetics can further include combinations of theabove from either amides or esters.

The terms “pharmacological agent” and “biologically active agent”further include, without limitation, the following cytotoxicanti-neoplastic agents and chemotherapy agents: alkylating agents,cisplatin, carboplatin, oxaliplatin, mechlorethamine, cyclophosphamide,chlorambucil, and ifosfamide. Chemotherapy agents can also include,without limitation, antimetabolites, such as purine analogues,pyrimidine analogues, and antifolates, plant alkaloids, such asvincristine, vinblastine, vinorelbine, vindesine, podophyllotoxin,etoposide and teniposide, taxanes, such as paclitaxel and docetaxel,topoisomerase inhibitors, such as irinotecan, topotecan, amsacrine,etoposide, etoposide phosphate and teniposide, cytotoxic antibiotics,such as actinomyocin, bleomycin, plicamycin, mytomycin andanthracyclines, such as doxorubicin, daunorubicin, valrubicin,idarubicin, epirubicin, and antibody treatments, such as abciximab,adamlimumab, alamtuzumab, basiliximab, belimumab, bevacizumab,brentuximab vedotin, canakinumab, cetuximab, certolizumab pego,daclizumab, denosumab, eculizumab, efalizumab, gemtuzumab, golimumab,ibritumomab tiuxetan, infliximab, ipilimumab, muromonab-CD3,natalizumab, ofatumumab, omalizumab, palivizumab, panitumumab,ranibizumab, rituximab, tocilizumab (atlizumab), tositumomab andtrastuzumab.

The terms “pharmacological agent” and “biologically active agent”further include, without limitation, the following anti-inflammatories:alclofenac, alclometasone dipropionate, algestone acetonide, alphaamylase, amcinafal, amcinafide, amfenac sodium, amiprilosehydrochloride, anakinra, anirolac, anitrazafen, apazone, balsalazidedisodium, bendazac, benoxaprofen, benzydamine hydrochloride, bromelains,broperamole, budesonide, carprofen, cicloprofen, cintazone, cliprofen,clobetasol propionate, clobetasone butyrate, clopirac, cloticasonepropionate, cormethasone acetate, cortodoxone, decanoate, deflazacort,delatestryl, depo-testosterone, desonide, desoximetasone, dexamethasonedipropionate, diclofenac potassium, diclofenac sodium, diflorasonediacetate, diflumidone sodium, diflunisal, difluprednate, diftalone,dimethyl sulfoxide, drocinonide, endrysone, enlimomab, enolicam sodium,epirizole, etodolac, etofenamate, felbinac, fenamole, fenbufen,fenclofenac, fenclorac, fendosal, fenpipalone, fentiazac, flazalone,fluazacort, flufenamic acid, flumizole, flunisolide acetate, flunixin,flunixin meglumine, fluocortin butyl, fluorometholone acetate,fluquazone, flurbiprofen, fluretofen, fluticasone propionate,furaprofen, furobufen, halcinonide, halobetasol propionate, halopredoneacetate, ibufenac, ibuprofen, ibuprofen aluminum, ibuprofen piconol,ilonidap, indomethacin, indomethacin sodium, indoprofen, indoxole,intrazole, isoflupredone acetate, isoxepac, isoxicam, ketoprofen,lofemizole hydrochloride, lomoxicam, loteprednol etabonate,meclofenamate sodium, meclofenamic acid, meclorisone dibutyrate,mefenamic acid, mesalamine, meseclazone, mesterolone,methandrostenolone, methenolone, methenolone acetate, methylprednisolonesuleptanate, momiflumate, nabumetone, nandrolone, naproxen, naproxensodium, naproxol, nimazone, olsalazine sodium, orgotein, orpanoxin,oxandrolane, oxaprozin, oxyphenbutazone, oxymetholone, paranylinehydrochloride, pentosan polysulfate sodium, phenbutazone sodiumglycerate, pirfenidone, piroxicam, piroxicam cinnamate, piroxicamolamine, pirprofen, prednazate, prifelone, prodolic acid, proquazone,proxazole, proxazole citrate, rimexolone, romazarit, salcolex,salnacedin, salsalate, sanguinarium chloride, seclazone, sermetacin,stanozolol, sudoxicam, sulindac, suprofen, talmetacin, talniflumate,talosalate, tebufelone, tenidap, tenidap sodium, tenoxicam, tesicam,tesimide, testosterone, testosterone blends, tetrydamine, tiopinac,tixocortol pivalate, tolmetin, tolmetin sodium, triclonide,triflumidate, zidometacin, and zomepirac sodium.

The term “biologically active agent” further includes, withoutlimitation, organisms that have the potential to induce modulatingproliferation, and/or growth and/or regeneration of tissue. The terms“biologically active agent” thus includes, without limitation, thefollowing cells: human embryonic stem cells, fetal cardiomyocytes,myofibroblasts, mesenchymal stem cells, autotransplated expandedcardiomyocytes, adipocytes, totipotent cells, pluripotent cells, bloodstem cells, myoblasts, adult stem cells, bone marrow cells, mesenchymalcells, embryonic stem cells, parenchymal cells, epithelial cells,endothelial cells, mesothelial cells, fibroblasts, osteoblasts,chondrocytes, exogenous cells, endogenous cells, stem cells,hematopoietic stem cells, bone-marrow derived progenitor cells,myocardial cells, skeletal cells, fetal cells, undifferentiated cells,multi-potent progenitor cells, unipotent progenitor cells, monocytes,cardiac myoblasts, skeletal myoblasts, macrophages, capillaryendothelial cells, xenogenic cells, allogenic cells, and post-natal stemcells.

According to the invention, the terms “pharmacological agent” and“biologically active agent” can further include the following activeagents (referred to interchangeably herein as a “protein”, “peptide” and“polypeptide”): collagen (types I-V), proteoglycans, glycosaminoglycans(GAGs), glycoproteins, growth factors, cytokines, cell-surfaceassociated proteins, cell adhesion molecules (CAM), angiogenic growthfactors, endothelial ligands, matrikines, cadherins, immuoglobins,fibril collagens, non-fibrallar collagens, basement membrane collagens,multiplexins, small-leucine rich proteoglycans, decorins, biglycans,fibromodulins, keratocans, lumicans, epiphycans, heparin sulfateproteoglycans, perlecans, agrins, testicans, syndecans, glypicans,serglycins, selectins, lecticans, aggrecans, versicans, neurocans,brevicans, cytoplasmic domain-44 (CD-44), macrophage stimulatingfactors, amyloid precursor proteins, heparins, chondroitin sulfate B(dermatan sulfate), chondroitin sulfate A, heparin sulfates, hyaluronicacids, fibronectins, tenascins, elastins, fibrillins, laminins,nidogen/enactins, fibulin I, finulin II, integrins, transmembranemolecules, thrombospondins, ostepontins, and angiotensin convertingenzymes (ACE).

The terms “active agent formulation”, “pharmacological agentformulation” and “agent formulation”, are also used interchangeablyherein, and mean and include a “pharmacological agent” (or “biologicallyactive agent”) optionally in combination with one or morepharmaceutically acceptable carriers and/or additional inertingredients. According to the invention, the formulations can be eitherin solution or in suspension in the carrier.

The term “pharmacological composition”, as used herein, means andincludes a composition comprising a “pharmacological agent” and/or“biologically active agent” and/or “pharmacological agent formulation”and/or any additional agent or component identified herein.

The term “therapeutically effective”, as used herein, means that theamount of the “pharmacological composition” and/or “biologically activeagent” and/or “active agent formulation” administered is of sufficientquantity to ameliorate one or more causes, symptoms, or sequelae of adisease or disorder. Such amelioration only requires a reduction oralteration, not necessarily elimination, of the cause, symptom, orsequelae of a disease or disorder.

The terms “delivery” and “administration” are used interchangeablyherein, and mean and include providing a “pharmacological composition”or “biologically active agent” or “active agent formulation” to atreatment site, e.g., damaged tissue, through any method appropriate todeliver the functional agent or formulation or composition to thetreatment site. Non-limiting examples of delivery methods include directinjection, percutaneous delivery and topical application at thetreatment site.

The term “percutaneous”, as used herein, means and includes anypenetration through the skin of a patient or subject, whether in theform of a small cut, incision, hole, cannula, tubular access sleeve orport or the like.

The terms “patient” and “subject” are used interchangeably herein, andmean and include warm blooded mammals, humans and primates; avians;domestic household or farm animals, such as cats, dogs, sheep, goats,cattle, horses and pigs; laboratory animals, such as mice, rats andguinea pigs; fish; reptiles; zoo and wild animals; and the like.

The term “comprise” and variations of the term, such as “comprising” and“comprises,” means “including, but not limited to” and is not intendedto exclude, for example, other additives, components, integers or steps.

The following disclosure is provided to further explain in an enablingfashion the best modes of performing one or more embodiments of thepresent invention. The disclosure is further offered to enhance anunderstanding and appreciation for the inventive principles andadvantages thereof, rather than to limit in any manner the invention.The invention is defined solely by the appended claims including anyamendments made during the pendency of this application and allequivalents of those claims as issued.

As indicated above, the present disclosure is directed to methods andsystems for treating cardiovascular disorders. In a preferred embodimentof the invention, the methods comprise concomitant administration of oneor more ECM based compositions to damaged or diseased cardiovasculartissue, and provision of ventricular assistance.

As also indicated above and discussed in detail herein, the term“concomitant” means that an ECM based composition and ventricularassistance are administered (or provided) concurrently at a definedpoint in time.

Thus, in some embodiments of the invention, ventricular assistance isinitially provided followed by the administration of an ECM basedcomposition.

According to the invention, the pre-ECM delivery time period canpromptly after administering ventricular assistance to, minutes, hoursor days after administering ventricular assistance.

In some embodiments, an ECM based composition is initially administeredand ventricular assistance is provided thereafter.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the ECM based compositionsinclude at least one extracellular matrix (hereinafter “ECM material”).

According to the invention, the ECM material can be derived from variousmammalian tissue sources and methods for preparing same, such asdisclosed in U.S. Pat. Nos. 7,550,004, 7,244,444, 6,379,710, 6,358,284,6,206,931, 5,733,337 and 4,902,508 and U.S. application Ser. No.12/707,427; which are incorporated by reference herein in theirentirety. The mammalian tissue sources include, without limitation,small intestine submucosa (SIS), urinary bladder submucosa (UBS),stomach submucosa (SS), central nervous system tissue, epithelium ofmesodermal origin, i.e. mesothelial tissue, dermal extracellular matrix,subcutaneous extracellular matrix, gastrointestinal extracellularmatrix, i.e. large and small intestines, tissue surrounding growingbone, placental extracellular matrix, ornamentum extracellular matrix,cardiac extracellular matrix, e.g., pericardium and/or myocardium,kidney extracellular matrix, pancreas extracellular matrix, lungextracellular matrix, and combinations thereof. The ECM material canalso comprise collagen from mammalian sources.

The ECM material can also be derived from basement membrane of mammaliantissue/organs, including, without limitation, urinary basement membrane(UBM), liver basement membrane (LBM), and amnion, chorion, allograftpericardium, allograft acellular dermis, amniotic membrane, Wharton'sjelly, and combinations thereof.

Additional sources of mammalian basement membrane include, withoutlimitation, spleen, lymph nodes, salivary glands, prostate, pancreas andother secreting glands.

The ECM material can also be derived from other sources, including,without limitation, collagen from plant sources and synthesizedextracellular matrices, i.e. cell cultures.

According to the invention, the ECM compositions of the invention canalso comprise ECM material from two or more mammalian sources. Thus, forexample, the composition can comprise ECM material combinations fromsuch sources as, for example, but not limited to, small intestinesubmucosa, liver basement membrane, stomach submucosa, urinary bladdersubmucosa, placental basement membrane, pancreatic basement membrane,large intestine submucosa, lung interstitial membrane, respiratory tractsubmucosa, heart ECM material, dermal matrix, and, in general, ECMmaterial from any mammalian fetal tissue. The ECM material sources canalso comprise different mammalian animals or an entirely differentspecies of mammals.

The ECM material can also be used in whole or in part, so that, forexample, an ECM material can contain just the basement membrane (ortransitional epithelial layer) with the subadjacent tunica propria, thetunica submucosa, tunica muscularis, and tunica serosa. The ECM materialcomponent of the composition can contain any or all of these layers, andthus could conceivably contain only the basement membrane portion,excluding the submucosa. However, generally, and especially since thesubmucosa is thought to contain and support the active growth factorsand other proteins necessary for in vivo tissue regeneration, the ECM ormatrix composition from any given source will contain the activeextracellular matrix portions that support cell development anddifferentiation and tissue regeneration.

According to the invention, the ECM based compositions can comprisemixed liquids, mixed emulsions, mixed gels, mixed pastes, or mixed solidparticulates. Suitable ECM based compositions are set forth inCo-pending application Ser. Nos. 11/182,551, 11/448,351, 11/334,631,13/033,053, 13/573,569 and 13/732,943; which are incorporated herein intheir entirety.

According to the invention, the ECM based compositions of the inventioncan further include one or more pharmacological agents or compositions,and/or one or more bioactive agents or components that aid in thetreatment of damaged tissue and/or facilitate the tissue regenerativeprocess.

In some embodiments, the ECM based compositions thus include at leastone pharmacological agent or composition, which can comprise, withoutlimitation, antibiotics or antifungal agents, anti-viral agents,anti-pain agents, anesthetics, analgesics, steroidalanti-inflammatories, non-steroidal anti-inflammatories,anti-neoplastics, anti-spasmodics, modulators of cell-extracellularmatrix interactions, proteins, hormones, enzymes and enzyme inhibitors,anticoagulants and/or antithrombic agents, DNA, RNA, modified DNA andRNA, NSAIDs, inhibitors of DNA, RNA or protein synthesis, polypeptides,oligonucleotides, polynucleotides, nucleoproteins, compounds modulatingcell migration, compounds modulating proliferation and growth of tissue,and vasodilating agents.

Suitable pharmacological agents and/or compositions accordingly include,without limitation, atropine, tropicamide, dexamethasone, dexamethasonephosphate, betamethasone, betamethasone phosphate, prednisolone,triamcinolone, triamcinolone acetonide, fluocinolone acetonide,anecortave acetate, budesonide, cyclosporine, FK-506, rapamycin,ruboxistaurin, midostaurin, flurbiprofen, suprofen, ketoprofen,diclofenac, ketorolac, nepafenac, lidocaine, neomycin, polymyxin b,bacitracin, gramicidin, gentamicin, oyxtetracycline, ciprofloxacin,ofloxacin, tobramycin, amikacin, vancomycin, cefazolin, ticarcillin,chloramphenicol, miconazole, itraconazole, trifluridine, vidarabine,ganciclovir, acyclovir, cidofovir, ara-amp, foscarnet, idoxuridine,adefovir dipivoxil, methotrexate, carboplatin, phenylephrine,epinephrine, dipivefrin, timolol, 6-hydroxydopamine, betaxolol,pilocarpine, carbachol, physostigmine, demecarium, dorzolamide,brinzolamide, latanoprost, sodium hyaluronate, insulin, verteporfin,pegaptanib, ranibizumab, and other antibodies, antineoplastics, AntiVGEFs, ciliary neurotrophic factor, brain-derived neurotrophic factor,bFGF, Caspase-1 inhibitors, Caspase-3 inhibitors, α-Adrenoceptorsagonists, NMDA antagonists, Glial cell line-derived neurotrophic factors(GDNF), pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF), and NT-3, NT-4, NGF,IGF-2.

According to the invention, the amount of a pharmacological agent addedto an ECM composition of the invention will, of course, vary from agentto agent. For example, in one embodiment, wherein the pharmacologicalagent comprises dicloflenac (Voltaren®), the amount of dicloflenacincluded in the ECM composition is preferably in the range of 10 μg-75mg.

In some embodiments of the invention, the pharmacological agentspecifically comprises an anti-inflammatory agent. According to theinvention, suitable anti-inflammatory agents include, withoutlimitation, alclofenac, alclometasone dipropionate, algestone acetonide,alpha amylase, amcinafal, amcinafide, amfenac sodium, amiprilosehydrochloride, anakinra, anirolac, anitrazafen, apazone, balsalazidedisodium, bendazac, benoxaprofen, benzydamine hydrochloride, bromelains,broperamole, budesonide, carprofen, cicloprofen, cintazone, cliprofen,clobetasol propionate, clobetasone butyrate, clopirac, cloticasonepropionate, cormethasone acetate, cortodoxone, decanoate, deflazacort,delatestryl, depo-testosterone, desonide, desoximetasone, dexamethasonedipropionate, diclofenac potassium, diclofenac sodium, diflorasonediacetate, diflumidone sodium, diflunisal, difluprednate, diftalone,dimethyl sulfoxide, drocinonide, endrysone, enlimomab, enolicam sodium,epirizole, etodolac, etofenamate, felbinac, fenamole, fenbufen,fenclofenac, fenclorac, fendosal, fenpipalone, fentiazac, flazalone,fluazacort, flufenamic acid, flumizole, flunisolide acetate, flunixin,flunixin meglumine, fluocortin butyl, fluorometholone acetate,fluquazone, flurbiprofen, fluretofen, fluticasone propionate,furaprofen, furobufen, halcinonide, halobetasol propionate, halopredoneacetate, ibufenac, ibuprofen, ibuprofen aluminum, ibuprofen piconol,ilonidap, indomethacin, indomethacin sodium, indoprofen, indoxole,intrazole, isoflupredone acetate, isoxepac, isoxicam, ketoprofen,lofemizole hydrochloride, lomoxicam, loteprednol etabonate,meclofenamate sodium, meclofenamic acid, meclorisone dibutyrate,mefenamic acid, mesalamine, meseclazone, mesterolone,methandrostenolone, methenolone, methenolone acetate, methylprednisolonesuleptanate, momiflumate, nabumetone, nandrolone, naproxen, naproxensodium, naproxol, nimazone, olsalazine sodium, orgotein, orpanoxin,oxandrolane, oxaprozin, oxyphenbutazone, oxymetholone, paranylinehydrochloride, pentosan polysulfate sodium, phenbutazone sodiumglycerate, pirfenidone, piroxicam, piroxicam cinnamate, piroxicamolamine, pirprofen, prednazate, prifelone, prodolic acid, proquazone,proxazole, proxazole citrate, rimexolone, romazarit, salcolex,salnacedin, salsalate, sanguinarium chloride, seclazone, sermetacin,stanozolol, sudoxicam, sulindac, suprofen, talmetacin, talniflumate,talosalate, tebufelone, tenidap, tenidap sodium, tenoxicam, tesicam,tesimide, testosterone, testosterone blends, tetrydamine, tiopinac,tixocortol pivalate, tolmetin, tolmetin sodium, triclonide,triflumidate, zidometacin, and zomepirac sodium.

According to the invention, the amount of an anti-inflammatory added toan ECM composition of the invention can similarly vary fromanti-inflammatory to anti-inflammatory. For example, in one embodimentof the invention, wherein the pharmacological agent comprises ibuprofen(Advil®), the amount of ibuprofen included in the ECM composition ispreferably in the range of 100 μg-200 mg.

In some embodiments of the invention, the ECM based compositions includea statin, i.e. a HMG-CoA reductase inhibitor. According to theinvention, suitable statins include, without limitation, atorvastatin(Lipitor®), cerivastatin, fluvastatin (Lescol®), lovastatin (Mevacor®,Altocor®, Altoprev®), mevastatin, pitavastatin (Livalo®, Pitava®),pravastatin (Pravachol®, Selektine®, Lipostat®), rosuvastatin(Crestor®), and simvastatin (Zocor®, Lipex®). Several actives comprisinga combination of a statin and another agent, such asezetimbe/simvastatin (Vytorin®), are also suitable.

Applicant has found that the noted statins exhibit numerous beneficialproperties that provide several beneficial biochemical actions oractivities. Several significant properties and beneficial actionsresulting therefrom are discussed in detail below. Additional propertiesand beneficial actions are set forth in Co-Pending application Ser. No.13/373,569, filed on Sep. 24, 2012; which is incorporated by referenceherein in its entirety.

Anti-Inflammatory Properties/Actions

Statins have numerous favorable effects on vascular wall cells and thecardiovascular system. One specific example is that statins facilitatethe reduction of the G-Protein-Coupled Receptor, thromboxane A2 (TXA₂),which lowers the platelet activation and aggregation, and augmentationof adhesion molecules and chemokines.

Statins further impact vascular wall cells and the cardiovascular systemby blocking ras homilog gene family, member A (RhoA) activation.Blocking RhoA activation further impacts numerous systems, such asmacrophage growth, tissue plasminogen activators (t-PA), plasminogenactivator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1), smooth muscle cell (SMC)proliferation, nitric oxide (NO) production, endothelins, andangiotensin receptors.

Macrophage growth reduced by blocking RhoA activation results in thereduction of matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and tissue factors (TF).Lowered MMPs also results in a lowered presence of thrombi, as the MMPsattach to ECM present in thrombi or damaged ECM at wound sites.

Fibrinolysis Properties/Actions

Blocking RhoA activation also affects the presence of tissue plasminogenactivators (t-PA) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 1 (PAI-1),which is the principal inhibitor of fibrinolysis. With t-PA presenceraised and PAI-1 diminished from the blocking of RhoA activation inducedby statins, a reduced thrombotic effect is realized due to reducedopportunity for fibrin to form the polymeric mesh of a hemostatic plug.

NO Regulation Properties/Actions

Blocking RhoA activation also affects the presence of Nitric Oxide (NO)in the cardiovascular system. NO contributes to vessel homeostasis byinhibiting vascular smooth muscle contraction and growth, plateletaggregation, and leukocyte adhesion to the endothelium.

RhoA Activation Blocking Properties/Actions

The administration of statins can also enhance the presence ofendothelins and angiotensin receptors. Endothelins and angiotensinreceptors can also be affected by the subsequent blocking of RhoAactivation associated with statin administration.

There are three isoforms of endothelins; ET-1, ET-2, and ET-3, with ET-1being the isoform primarily affected by statins and RhoA activationblocking. Secretion of ET-1 from the endothelium signalsvasoconstriction and influences local cellular growth and survival.

Angiotensin receptors are protein coupled receptors that are responsiblefor the signal transduction of the vasoconstricting stimulus of the maineffector hormone angiotensin II. Angiotensin Receptor II Type I (AT-1)is the angiotensin receptor primarily affected by statin administrationand RhoA activation blocking. AT-1 mediates vasocontraction, cardiachypertrophy, vascular smooth muscle cell proliferation, inter alia.

C-Reactive Protein Reduction Properties/Actions

C-Reactive Proteins (CRP) are also reduced by statins. CRPs are found inthe blood; the levels of which deviate in response to differing levelsof inflammation.

Adhesion Molecule Reduction Properties/Actions

Statins also reduce the presence of adhesion molecules on theendothelium. Adhesion molecules are proteins that are located on thecell surface and are involved with inflammation and thrombin formationin vascular endothelial cells.

Rac-1 Reduction Properties/Actions

The expression of Rac-1 is also reduced by statins. Rac-1 is a proteinfound in human cells, which plays a central role in endothelial cellmigration, tubulogenesis, adhesion, and permeability. The decrease inthe presence of Rac-1 also results in the decrease of reactive oxygenspecies (ROS).

According to the invention, the amount of a statin added to an ECMcomposition of the invention is preferably less than 20 mg, morepreferably, less than approximately 10 mg.

In some embodiments of the invention, the ECM based compositions include100 ug-5 mg of a statin. In some embodiments of the invention, the ECMbased compositions include 500 ug-2 mg of a statin.

In some embodiments of the invention, the ECM based compositions includechitosan. As also set forth in detail in Co-Pending application Ser. No.13/573,569, chitosan also exhibits numerous beneficial properties thatprovide several beneficial biochemical actions or activities.

According to the invention, the amount of chitosan added to an ECM basedcomposition of the invention is preferably less than 50 ml, morepreferably, less than approximately 20 ml.

In some embodiments of the invention, the ECM based compositions includea growth factor. According to the invention, suitable growth factorsinclude, without limitation, a platelet derived growth factor (PDGF),epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor alpha(TGF-alpha), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), fibroblastgrowth factor-2 (FGF-2), basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF), vascularepithelial growth factor (VEGF), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF),insulin-like growth factor (IGF), nerve growth factor (NGF), platletderived growth factor (PDGF), tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNA-alpha),and placental growth factor (PLGF).

In some embodiments of the invention, the ECM based compositions includean antiarrhythmic agent. According to the invention, suitableantiarrhythmic agents include, without limitation, quinidine,procainamide, disopyramide, lidocaine, phenytoin, mexiletine,flecainide, propafenone, moricizine, propranolol, esmolol, timolol,metoprolol, atenolol, amiodarone, sotalol, ibutilide, dofetilide,verapamil, diltiazem, adenosine and digoxin.

In some embodiments of the invention, the ECM based compositions includea cell. According to the invention, suitable cells include, withoutlimitation, a human embryonic stem cell, fetal cell, fetalcardiomyocyte, myofibroblast, mesenchymal stem cell, autotransplantedexpanded cardiomyocyte, adipocyte, totipotent cell, pluripotent cell,blood stem cell, myoblast, adult stem cell, bone marrow cell,mesenchymal cell, embryonic stem cell, parenchymal cell, epithelialcell, endothelial cell, mesothelial cell, fibroblast, myofibroblast,osteoblast, chondrocyte, exogenous cell, endogenous cell, stem cell,hematopoetic stem cell, pluripotent stem cell, bone marrow-derivedprogenitor cell, progenitor cell, myocardial cell, skeletal cell,undifferentiated cell, multi-potent progenitor cell, unipotentprogenitor cell, monocyte, cardiomyocyte, cardiac myoblast, skeletalmyoblast, macrophage, capillary endothelial cell, xenogenic cell andallogenic cell.

In some embodiments of the invention, the ECM based compositions includea protein. According to the invention, the protein can comprise, withoutlimitation, a growth factor, collagen, proteoglycan, glycosaminoglycan(GAG) chain, glycoprotein, cytokine, cell-surface associated protein,cell adhesion molecule (CAM), angiogenic growth factor, endothelialligand, matrikine, matrix metalloprotease, cadherin, immunoglobin,fibril collagen, non-fibrillar collagen, basement membrane collagen,multiplexin, small-leucine rich proteoglycan, decorin, biglycan,fibromodulin, keratocan, lumican, epiphycan, heparan sulfateproteoglycan, perlecan, agrin, testican, syndecan, glypican, serglycin,selectin, lectican, aggrecan, versican, nuerocan, brevican, cytoplasmicdomain-44 (CD44), macrophage stimulating factor, amyloid precursorprotein, heparin, chondroitin sulfate B (dermatan sulfate), chondroitinsulfate A, heparan sulfate, hyaluronic acid, fibronectin (Fn), tenascin,elastin, fibrillin, laminin, nidogen/entactin, fibulin I, fibulin II,integrin, a transmembrane molecule, platelet derived growth factor(PDGF), epidermal growth factor (EGF), transforming growth factor alpha(TGF-alpha), transforming growth factor beta (TGF-beta), fibroblastgrowth factor-2 (FGF-2) (also called basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF)), thrombospondin, osteopontin, angiotensin converting enzyme(ACE), and vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF).

According to the invention, the pharmacological and bioactive agentsreferenced above can comprise any form. In some embodiments of theinvention, the agents, e.g. simvastatin and/or chitosan, comprisemicrocapsules that provide delayed delivery of the agent containedtherein.

Referring now to FIG. 1, there is shown a depiction of a normal humanheart 100. The heart wall 102 consists of an inner layer of simplesquamous epithelium, referred to as the endocardium. The endocardiumoverlays the myocardium (a variably thick heart muscle) and is envelopedwithin a multi-layer tissue structure referred to as the pericardium.The innermost layer of the pericardium, referred to as the visceralpericardium or epicardium, covers the myocardium. An outermost layer ofthe pericardium, referred to as the fibrous pericardium, attaches theparietal pericardium to the sternum, the great vessels and thediaphragm.

Referring now to FIG. 2, there is shown a depiction of a heart 200having an ischemic infarcted region 202, and a peri-infarcted region 204that is surrounded by healthy non-ischemic myocardium tissue 206.

As indicated above, the ischemic infarcted region 202 (or myocardialinfarction) can, and in many instances will trigger a cascading sequenceof myocellular events. In many instances, the myocellular events lead todeterioration in ventricular function and heart failure.

As discussed in detail in Co-pending application Ser. No. 13/573,569,the effects of an ischemic infarcted region can be ameliorated oreliminated by delivering an ECM based composition of the inventiondirectly to the infarcted cardiovascular tissue. In most instances, thebased ECM compositions will induce neovascularization, host tissueproliferation, bioremodeling, and regeneration of new cardiac tissuestructures with site-specific structural and functional properties.

According to the invention, the ECM based compositions can be deliveredto infarcted cardiovascular tissue, as well as other damaged or diseasedbiological tissue, by various conventional means. In some embodiments, amulti-needle injection system, such as disclosed in U.S. Application No.61/704,634, filed Sep. 24, 2012 and illustrated in FIGS. 3A and 3B isemployed to deliver one or more ECM based compositions to damaged ordiseased cardiovascular tissue.

Applicants herein have further found that the noted cardiovasculardisorder, i.e. ischemic heart disease, as well as other cardiovasculardisorders can be effectively treated by the administration of an ECMbased composition (and/or a device formed therefrom, e.g. an ECM basedpatch or endograft) in conjunction with ventricular assistance.

According to the invention, ventricular assistance can be provided by avariety of conventional ventricular assist devices, including, withoutlimitation, a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), right ventricularassist device (RVAD), left and right ventricular assist device (BiVAD),and other mechanical circulatory support (MCS) devices.

In some embodiments of the invention, ventricular assistance is providedby a left ventricular assist device (LVAD), such as the HeartWare HVAD™device illustrated in FIG. 4. As illustrated in FIG. 4, the HVAD deviceincludes a pump 10 having an elongated inlet 12 and an impeller casingor volute 14. A discharge tube 16 also extends through the pump housingto communicate with the interior of the impeller casing 14.

Referring now to FIG. 5, in some applications, the inlet tube 12, whichserves as an inflow cannula, is preferably placed into the apex of theleft ventricle 208. An arterial graft 212 is connected on one end todischarge tube 16 and on the other end to the aorta 210 through anend-to-end anastomosis.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, the pump 10 further includes a driveline(cable) 26 that connects the implanted pump 10 to an externally worncontroller 28. The controller 28, which includes a battery pack 30,regulates the pump 10 and provides the patient with visual and audibleindications regarding the operation of the system.

There is thus provided herein methods for treating a cardiovasculardisorder comprising concomitant administration of (i) an ECM basedcomposition directly to damaged or diseased cardiovascular tissueassociated with the cardiovascular disorder, and (ii) ventricularassistance.

There is also provided herein a system for treating a cardiovasculardisorder comprising (i) means for delivering an ECM based compositiondirectly to damaged or diseased cardiovascular tissue associated withthe cardiovascular disorder, and (ii) means for providing ventricularassistance or support for the underlying cardiovascular system.

EXAMPLES

The following examples are provided to enable those skilled in the artto more clearly understand and practice the present invention. Theyshould not be considered as limiting the scope of the invention, butmerely as being illustrated as representative thereof.

Example 1

Three groups of porcine samples were subjected to three cardiovasculartreatments, i.e. ventricular assist (VAD) only, administration of anextracellular matrix (ECM) composition of the invention, and VAD plusadministration of the ECM composition after inducing an infarct.

Referring now to FIG. 6, there is shown a graphical illustration ofejection fraction as a function of time for the porcine samples. As iswell known in the art, ejection fraction indicates what percentage ofblood is ejected from the heart with each beat and, hence, is a seminalcardiovascular performance factor. A normal ejection fraction is ≧50%.

As illustrated in FIG. 6, there was a progressive improvement incardiovascular performance after 60 days between the porcine groups;with the combined therapy of VAD and ECM composition administrationbeing the greatest.

The improvement with ECM composition administration alone was alsosubstantial in view of a lower starting point, having no evidence afterinfarct of improvement.

Without departing from the spirit and scope of this invention, one ofordinary skill can make various changes and modifications to theinvention to adapt it to various usages and conditions. As such, thesechanges and modifications are properly, equitably, and intended to be,within the full range of equivalence of the following claims.

What is claimed is:
 1. A method of treating a cardiovascular disorder ina subject, comprising: providing an extracellular matrix (ECM)composition comprising acellular ECM, said acellular ECM comprisingendogenous proteoglycans, transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) andvascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), said ECM composition furthercomprising an added growth factor selected from the group consisting offibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF), transforming growth factor-alpha (TGF-α), transforming growthfactor-beta (TGF-β), and vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF),wherein, when said ECM composition is administered to damagedcardiovascular tissue, said growth factor augmented ECM compositioninduces myofibroblast and stem cell migration, and differentiation ofsaid stem cells into cardiomyocytes; providing a mechanical circulatorysupport (MSC) device that is configured to support ventricular functionof a mammalian heart when connected thereto; connecting said MSC deviceto said subject's circulatory system; administering said ECM compositionproximate damaged cardiovascular tissue of said subject's heart, whereinsaid ECM composition induces neovascularization and bioremodeling ofsaid subject's damaged cardiovascular tissue; and providing support ofventricular function of said subject's heart with said MSC device. 2.The method of claim 1, wherein said ECM comprises ECM from mammaliantissue selected from the group consisting of small intestine submucosa,urinary bladder submucosa, stomach submucosa, placental tissue,mesothelial tissue, ornomentum tissue and kidney tissue.
 3. The methodof claim 1, wherein said ECM composition is administered directly tosaid subject's damaged cardiovascular tissue.